Gone to Green (Green Series #1)

A Louisiana Mitford

Lois Barker is not Father Tim, but if you felt at home in Jan Karon's Mitford, you will love the lively characters in Judy Christie's Gone to Green. When big city journalist Lois Barker inherits a small town newspaper from a friend, she only intends to stay the required year in Green, Louisiana, before unloading the paper and moving on to something better. But is there anything better than being her own boss and making a difference in a local community? Of course, readers know from the beginning that Barker will stay. (After all, there are more titles to look forward to in Christie's Green series!) But it takes a few scandals and news scoops and a whole lot of new friends (including an attractive lawyer and a helpful catfish farmer) to convince her that she has at last come home.

Judie Christie writes in a fun first person voice that had me on page one. Each chapter begins with an amusing excerpt from the Green News-Item. Although Lois is also on a spiritual journey, the preaching never overwhelms the story. I enjoyed the Mitford books, but it always bothered me that Father Tim had to be a "professional Christian" for readers to consider his spiritual insights appropriate to the character. I am hoping that in Lois Barker Christie will break out of that mold and show a lay believer whose commitment to God makes a difference. The setting is still a small Bible-belt town. Who is going to write me a Northern urban tale where the gospel is seen through someone in the marketplace? I'm thinking maybe an African American hairdresser in a neighborhood that is a cross-section of urban American life.

4 out of 5 people found this review helpful.

Truly an Inspiration Gone to Green will pull at your heart strings and reveal to you how the choices you make in this journey called life and the paths you choose affect so many people.

In Gone to Green find out how Lois a corporate journalist at a large paper who is moving up in the company unexpectedly ends up working for a small town paper after an inheritance from a close colleague. Lois must keep the company for at least a year and suddenly she finds herself battling town prejudices and inner doubts.

Lois also discovers the goodness of people in this new town and the importance of being part of a community which leads her to make friends with some surprising folk. She soon finds out God might indeed have a plan for her and it does not include returning to her previous life.

I have had the pleasure of conversing by email with the lovely author of this book Judy Christie and I have received a signed copy of Gone to Green to read and review. During my review of this book I found myself looking forward to the next chapter again and again. In this story I found Lois to be a gentle soul who struggles with her faith in God throughout the book. Lois is very strong willed and although at first in her new life she tries to push people away she soon finds out she enjoys their company more and more. The setting for this book a small Louisiana town of Green and the quirky characters were easily transformed in my imagination. I totally fell in love with and anticipated the new love relationship Lois had acquired toward the end of this book. I am more than looking forward to the next book in this series and already got a head start with the bonus chapter at the end of the book from Judy's next book titled Goodness Gracious Green.

Quote from Judy: "I try to focus on doing God's will for my life and enjoying each day more. Part of that is hurrying less and worrying less".

About the Author; From the Website of Judy Christie:
Judy Christie is an author and consultant who lives in Northwest Louisiana. She writes inspirational fiction and nonfiction.
Her popular Green series chronicles the goings-on in the small Louisiana town of Green and is part of Abindgon Press's new inspirational fiction line. The third book in the Green series, The Glory of Green, will be released Spring 2011. It follows Gone to Green, her first novel, published in 2009, and Goodness Gracious Green, which came out in 2010.

Judy is also the author of
the popular Hurry Less, Worry Less nonfiction series, published by Abingdon Press: Hurry Less, Worry Less for Families; Hurry Less, Worry Less at Work; Hurry Less, Worry Less: 10 Strategies for Living the Life You Long For; Hurry Less, Worry Less at Christmastime.

A journalist for many years Judy is a frequent speaker at retreats and workshops. Judy is an amazing person and an inspiration to me. Stop over and visit Judy at her website and send her a note she loves to hear from people.

2 out of 2 people found this review helpful.

Great book. Highly recommended

I loved the entire Green Series. Did not expect how the story worked out. However, I checked out remaining books in series from the library due to cost.

1 out of 1 people found this review helpful.

Written well. But not my taste.

Read 2/3's of it and then it got way to preach-y for me.

1 out of 1 people found this review helpful.

Not a free book as posted

This book was advertised as free but i was charged 8.60

1 out of 3 people found this review helpful.

Fairly enjoyable light Christian oriented reading

To start, I got this as a free ebook. I had gathered that it might be Christian oriented, so I wasn't sure if I'd enjoy it much, given that I am NOT religious whatsoever.

However, it was better than I expected and reasonably enjoyable. The actual story idea wasn't bad, and had promise, though I don't really feel it was fully realized here. I'd have like more gritty ins and outs of the small newspaper biz, rather than a float-along, all is well and getting better all the time, fizzy little charming view.

Still and all, there were plenty of likeable characters, even if I didn't feel they were developed particularly well. There's certainly charm to the general rosy and positive outlook and I do think there is a place for that. I could have done without the Christian aspects, but they weren't hard hitting and did not overwhelm the general plot line.

Speaking of plot... not a lot of drama to this one, more of a "will she, won't she sell" and hardly a page turner. More of a "cozy" style, if you know what I mean. Predictable ending.

I'd consider reading the next in the series if it were free, but would not go and buy it. It is also a fairly short book of 144 pages.

1 out of 1 people found this review helpful.

Great read

Great read-everyday struggles - are not solved by magic, but with hard work and dedication, and the most important part God!

So so .....

Gone to Green starts out well and I enjoyed the characters but in certain parts of the story it went super fast. There would be a situation taking place over 3-4 pages and then you turn the page and the situation is resolved. Other parts of the book were boring and I skimmed over those portions. I was left wanting more because I enjoy the setting of the book. I'll try book#2.

Very enjoyable reading

The author has done a wonderful job of blending characters and diversity and capturing the quirkiness of a small southern town as a "yankee" attempts to settle in and call it "home". The cast of characters is wonderful. I am looking forward to reading the entire series.

I enjoyed getting to know the characters in "Gone to Green&

I enjoyed getting to know the characters in "Gone to Green". While not laden with suspense (I pretty much had it figured out early on), I was not bored. This was a pleasant read between a couple of "heavies", and it was time well spent. I also enjoyed the setting. Being originally from a metropolitan area, I liked getting to know the goings-on of a small Southern town.

Jeanie d

An okay read,

Great hometown feel good story

On to the green book 2

Loved it!

This first in the series got me hooked! I like a good love story as much as the next girl, but this is different. Judy Christie focuses on other relationships and issues and not just a love story. Great read, in fact I am picking up book # 5 tomorrow!!

Britt to danny

Here .....sits down and waits fir u to respond

To all

Fuststrip cannot post he is blocked. Harmony.

To shea

Yes u may but do #5

A very good story with humor, friendship, and coming to love the

A very good story with humor, friendship, and coming to love the place you're at.

Nice read

I enjoyed Gone to Green, it was an easy read which leave one with a smile. The characters are well fleshed out and the plot is engaging.

Highly recommended

Loved this book and am buying all the ones to follow!!

great book

This book is amazing. Its not a long book but she keeps you interested the whole time. You will have to get the rest once you read this one